OVERVIEW:
The purpose of Raining Cats and Dogs Public Art Project is to promote awareness of the Burke Arts Council and Friends for Animals Humane Society. The project seeks to bring members of the community together using the arts as a catalyst to celebrate the work of both organizations.  Proceeds from Raining Cats and Dogs will benefit both organizations.

Inspired by Chicago’s Cow Parades and other public art projects, Raining Cats and Dogs will place 21 cat and dog sculptures on location throughout Burke County.

INFORMATION FOR ARTISTS:

DOG & CAT SCULPTURE INFORMATION:
A total of 21 forms are available: 8 cats (4 standing cats, 4 sitting cats) and 13 dogs (5 sitting Labrador Retrievers, 5 standing Labrador Retrievers, 1 Boxer, 1 German Shepard, 1 Bassett Hound).

"Standing" Cat 33"H x 29"L x 13"W Click here to download & print outline.		Basset Hound 20"H  x 35"L x 9"D Click here to download  & print outline.		"Standing" Lab 28.5"H x 36"L x 9"D Click here to download  & print outline.
Boxer 30"H x 20.5"W x 11"D Click here to download & print outline.	"Sitting" Cat 28"H x 18"W x 14"D Click here to download  & print outline.		German Shepherd 30"H x 10"W x 18"D Front View Click here to download  & print outline. Side View Click here to download  & print outline.		"Sitting" Lab 25"H x 28"L x 12"D Click here to download  & print outline.
Please click on the above images to view the larger images.

Dog and cat fiberglass sculptures have been purchased from Cowpainters, LLC.  Please read carefully all the information listed below – Paint Tips Sheet, Product Information, Clear Coating, etc.  This information was provided by Cowpainters, LLC and will answer many questions about creating a permanent “coat” for the cat and dog fiberglass sculptures. Artists may contact Cowpainters, LLC with questions or comments at:   info@cowpainters.com or tel:  312.666.6257.

1. Prep and Paint Tips, click here to download and print.*
2. Product Information, click here to download and print.*
3.Clear coating information, click here to download and print.*
4. Decoupage Tips, click here to download and print.*
* You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to download and print.

SELECTION PROCESS: 
1. All entries will be juried for selection by Ms. Lise Swensson, Director, Hickory Museum of Art and Mr. Sam Yates, Professor of Art, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 

2.  Selection process will focus on quality, overall appearance and permanence of work.  Artists from Burke County and western North Carolina are preferred but other artists are welcome to apply.  Artists must be 16 years old or older.

3.  Artists should submit for review the line drawing of the dog/cat sculpture, as it will appear when completed.  The line drawings are downloadable and are pictured with each photograph of the dog/cat sculpture.

4.  All dog and cat sculptures will be attached to a plywood base when they arrive in Morganton.  The base is not pictured in the photographs but is included in the line drawing. 

5.  Artists may submit a maximum of 3 renderings of any sculpture (line drawing) for review. For example, you may submit 1 drawing each for 1 cat and 2 dog forms, or you may submit 3 drawings for 1 cat form.  The maximum number of drawings should be 3, whether you choose 1 form or 3 forms.

6.  Renderings may be completed in any media (colored pencil, marker pen, watercolor, etc.) that best conveys the final appearance.

7.  Each entry must be accompanied by the submission form:  click here to download submission form.  Please staple the submission form to each rendering submitted. 

8.  Entries are due Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at the Burke Arts Council, 115 E. Meeting Street, Morganton, NC  28655.  Our hours are 9:00 – 5:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday. Entries postmarked June 4, 2008 will be accepted.  Entries may be hand carried to our office.  Call to ensure someone will be available to receive entry. 

9.  Artists will be notified of acceptance by Tuesday, June 10, 2008.

10.  Dog and/or cat sculptures may be picked up by artists at the Burke Arts Council on Wednesday, June 11.  Sculptures are large, please bring a vehicle that can accommodate.

11.  Completed dog and cat sculptures must be returned to the Burke Arts Council by Wednesday, July 16, 2008.

PAYMENT & PUBLICITY FOR ARTISTS: 

1.  A stipend of $250 for each completed dog or cat sculpture is offered for time and materials 

*    50% of the stipend will be distributed when the sculpture is picked up.  The final 50% will be distributed when the sculpture is completed and returned to the Burke Arts Council.

2.  Artist’s name will be included on a plaque that will be affixed to the base of the dog or cat sculpture when completed and returned to the Burke Arts Council. .

3.  Artist and 1 guest will receive complimentary invitations  to the Preview Party. Details pending.

4.  Artist's name will be listed in a brochure that will accompany the dog and cat sculptures as they go “on parade” throughout Burke County in August and September 2008.   

5.  Dog and cat sculptures will be silent auctioned Saturday October 4, 2008 at the October Oyster Outing on the old Courthouse Square in downtown Morganton, North Carolina.

TIMELINE:

Raining Cats &  Dogs Committee Members: Chip Saunders, Ann DiSanto, Anne Thompson, Sylvia Milne, Jeff Stark, Peg DeMarco, Mary Marcia Salsbury.